Dr. Jeffrey Carrier (aka “Shark Doctor”), 78, of Sebastian, Florida, died on Wednesday, January 1st after a short battle with cancer, with his wife Carol, sister Patti, and brother-in-law Anthony by his side.
Jeff was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in May 1946 to Harry and Lynn Carrier. He graduated high school in 1964 and enrolled at Florida State University (Go Noles!). He transferred to the University of Miami, where he graduated with a bachelor’s (1970) and doctorate (1974) degree 1974. Jeff served proudly in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserves from 1964-1971.
After college, Jeff taught high school biology at Killian Senior High in Miami before becoming the Program and Facilities director for the Seacamp NFHI in Big Pine Key, Florida, where he continued to work and volunteer throughout his life. At Seacamp, over the years, he was the NHMI Director, spent time on our Board of Directors, and conducted world-renowned science from the shores and boats.
In 1979, Jeff moved to Michigan, where he was a Professor of Biology at Albion College. It was a career that lasted 31 years, where he received several awards for teaching and held multiple Endowed Professorships in Biology. He would joke that he went to the dark side and served several years as Provost (Vice President for Academic Affairs). Jeff was also known as the “Voice of the Britons,” announcing Albion Football for 40 years and, in 1999, was inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame.
He was a member of the America Elasmobranch Society (AES), where he held many rolls including secretary, a member of the Board of Directors, Editor/Webmaster, and President from 2004-07. Over the past three decades, he established an international reputation for his groundbreaking and highly publicized research into the reproduction and mating behavior of nurse sharks from the Florida Keys, work conducted in collaboration with Dr. Harold “Wes” Pratt, Jr., Dr. Nick Whitney, and others.
Jeff has been featured on numerous programs created by National Geographic Society and the Discovery Channel, and written and edited seven texts on sharks, one of which won an American Library Association CHOICE Award. His highly successful and influential series, “Biology of Sharks and Their Relatives,” features chapters that many AES members contributed.
In recognition of his outstanding career contributions to the research and understanding of chondrichthyan fishes as well as his unwavering dedication to the society. Jeff was awarded the AES Distinguished Fellow Award in 2023. This is the highest award presented by the society.
In 1997, Jeff married the love of his life, his best friend Carol, who had been on many adventures with him over the years.
After retirement, Jeff loved spending time at their cabin in northern Michigan, just relaxing and fly fishing on the Au Sable River with friends. He even got involved in the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Alpena, Michigan, one of few Coast Guard stations that would let Auxiliarists run the boats. And if anyone knew Jeff, he liked to be in charge!
Jeff and Carol moved to Sebastian, Florida to be closer to family in 2020. In Sebastian, Jeff was on the Natural Resource Board. He also continued to volunteer his time at Seacamp on Big Pine Key. Teaching Boat Captains workshops, leading staff training sessions, mentoring the current generation of staff, and hoping one day for his grandchildren to spend time with him there.
Most importantly, Jeff enjoyed boating with his First Mate Carol, finding new places to dine, watching his Noles play Football, and cheering on his grandkids.
Jeff was preceded in death by his parents, and beloved four-legged companions Brittney and Norman. He is survived by his devoted wife of 27 years, Carol; his two step-sons, John (Monica) Savalli of Coral Springs, FL, and Michael (Johanna) Savalli of Fort Lauderdale, FL; Grandchildren Emma, Sophia, Brady, and Isabella. His sister Patti (Anthony) Hodge, nephew Erik (Mikaela) Thorelli, and great niece and nephew.
Jeff lived a very fulfilled life that was cut short too early. He has touched the lives of so many over the years. He will be dearly missed and never forgotten.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date at Seacamp in Big Pine Key, Florida, and in Albion, Michigan.
In lieu of flowers, his wish would be to donate to Seacamp NFHI in his name www.seacamp.org/donate.htm.
Anyone wishing to send the family a message or share a story is asked to visit Jeff’s memorial page at www.seawindsfh.com.
